President's Bio

Dr. Edison O. Jackson is the sixth president of Bethune-Cookman University. After having served eleven months as interim president, Dr. Edison O. Jackson accepted the appointment to become the sixth president of Bethune-Cookman University on March 20, 2013, bringing with him a wealth of experience and knowledge in administering the affairs of educational institutions. In September 1983, Dr. Jackson served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer at Essex County College in Newark, NJ. He assumed the Presidency of Medgar Evers College of The City University of New York on September 1, 1989. Before accepting the challenge to lead the team at Medgar Evers College, he was President/Superintendent of Compton Community College in California from July 1985 to August 1989.

Born in Heathsville, Virginia, Edison O. Jackson received a B.S. in Zoology with a minor in chemistry, followed by a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from Howard University. He also received a Masters of Arts in Theology from Union Theological Seminary in New York City; and in October 1983, he received a Doctorate in Education from Rutgers University with academic emphasis on philosophy, function, role and administration of urban educational institutions. Dr. Jackson is the recipient of honorary doctorates from Sojourner Douglas College in Baltimore, Maryland, and Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Dr. Jackson currently serves and holds memberships on a number of civic, educational and community boards and organizations including: Team Volusia Economic Development Corporation, Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce, HBCU-ETS Steering Committee, Young Men’s Christian Association, National Association of Schools and Colleges of the United Methodist Church, Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, Volusia/Flagler YMCA, and New York Theological Seminary. His affiliation with professional and national organizations run the gamut from the American Association of Higher Education to the President’s Round Table and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. He has written extensively on issues of concern to educators with particular concentration on minority students and the community, academic preparation and student performance. Dr. Jackson’s work has appeared in such noted publications as Black Issues in Higher Education, A Crucial Agenda: Making Colleges and Universities Work Better for Minority Students, and ERIC Clearinghouse.

In recognition of the high quality of his service, Edison O. Jackson has received the "1993 New York State Governor’s Award for African-Americans of Distinction", The 1992 "New York University Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service Award", the 1993 "Hellenic Council of New York, Inc., Community Service Award", the 1993 "Rutgers University Distinguished Service Award", the New York Chapter American Jewish Committee 1993 "Community Relations Award", and the Howard University Alumni Club of New York "Alumni Recognition Award for 1993." Dr. Jackson has been featured in Ebony Magazine, Black Issues in Higher Education, and The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Dr. Jackson is a member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. and the Grand Boule, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and is a member of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Daytona Beach, Florida.

For 50 years, Dr. Jackson has been married to Florence Evora Jackson -- his lifelong friend, love and supporter. They are the proud parents of two children and grandparents of three.